Which axis controls roll?

Study for the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which axis controls roll?

Explanation:
Roll is rotation about the longitudinal axis, the line that runs from the nose to the tail of the airplane. The aircraft tilts left or right as the wings rise on one side and descend on the other, which is achieved by the ailerons changing lift differentially between the wings. That movement happens around the nose-to-tail axis, so it controls roll. In contrast, pitch is rotation about the lateral axis (wingtip to wingtip) controlled by the elevator, and yaw is rotation about the vertical axis controlled by the rudder. Some sources call the side-to-side axis transverse, but roll specifically uses the longitudinal axis.

Roll is rotation about the longitudinal axis, the line that runs from the nose to the tail of the airplane. The aircraft tilts left or right as the wings rise on one side and descend on the other, which is achieved by the ailerons changing lift differentially between the wings. That movement happens around the nose-to-tail axis, so it controls roll. In contrast, pitch is rotation about the lateral axis (wingtip to wingtip) controlled by the elevator, and yaw is rotation about the vertical axis controlled by the rudder. Some sources call the side-to-side axis transverse, but roll specifically uses the longitudinal axis.

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